New After-School Program for Camden Kids

When schools across America participate in the eighth annual “Lights On Afterschool” program, Camden kids and families will have a special reason to celebrate: a $2.1 million, four-year grant from the New Jersey Department of Education, which supports the launch of a 21st Century Community Learning Center at the LEAP Academy University Charter School in Camden.

The grant started in September.

The LEAP (Leadership, Education And Partnership) Academy after-school program will seek to provide 540 students with comprehensive academic, social, and athletic services after school hours. Families will benefit from a variety of programs to engage adult learners and LEAP siblings. The LEAP initiative seeks to promote character growth as well as strong pre-college preparation.

The LEAP Academy 21st Century Community Learning Center will operate two programs: one serving students in grades 4-6 (180 students) and one serving students in grades 7-12 (360 students). Through this effort, a total of 540 students and their families will have access to services and programs after the regular school hours and during the summer.

During Thursday, Oct. 18, representatives of the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts and Symphony in C (formerly the Haddonfield Symphony) will engage students in musical activities as families rally for stimulating programs that keeps the lights on and doors open at the LEAP Academy after school.

Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America's children, families, and communities. In America today, one in four children -- 14.3 million children – are alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families, and inspire learning. They provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults

Partnering organizations include the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts, which will provide arts programs, such as dance and theater; Symphony in C, which will offer a classical music component; the Camden Settlement Music School, which will offer modern dance and instrumental music; Princeton-Blairstown Center, which will offer camping experiences; and the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences, which will offer science programs

The LEAP 21st CCLC program will operate from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the month of July.

This event offers exceptional visual and sound opportunities to discuss the value of after-school programs, and the specific need for such programs in urban environments. Your coverage is invited. The on-site media contact is Gloria Hancock, LEAP chief school administrator (cell: 609-605-1639).

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Author: Press Release